as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered
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Recent Examples of compulsion
In a free society, the marketplace of ideas should be supported by choice, not compulsion.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Medium spiny neurons play an important role in habit formation, the process by which a behavior becomes automatic and habitual – think compulsions.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 13 May 2025
Even then, lawmakers couldn’t resist the compulsion to split hairs.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Books The Faithless Generation Traditional religion thrives in stable communities, not a world where innovators aim to ‘break things.’
Books
Lies, Damned Lies, and Ideology
John O’Sullivan
The ideological lie persists, demanding compulsion to enforce its vision.
—Paul Baumann, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Medium spiny neurons play an important role in habit formation, the process by which a behavior becomes automatic and habitual – think compulsions.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 13 May 2025
Even then, lawmakers couldn’t resist the compulsion to split hairs.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Books The Faithless Generation Traditional religion thrives in stable communities, not a world where innovators aim to ‘break things.’
Books
Lies, Damned Lies, and Ideology
John O’Sullivan
The ideological lie persists, demanding compulsion to enforce its vision.
—Paul Baumann, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion
Noun
-
The budgetary pressures caused by $20.5 million in player compensation will cause schools to redirect all available cash.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
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Another dependable starter would fortify their group and could lessen the pressure on Will Warren, and relying on Luis Gil to return to form after missing the entirety of the season so far with a lat injury.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The Airbus Factor and Market Dynamics Airbus leads in single-aisle deliveries but faces significant supply chain constraints, limiting its ability to ramp up production further.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The dating of ancient manuscripts is an extremely difficult problem, with sparse data and heavy constraints on access and expertise.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Noun
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China’s use of economic coercion against South Korea has fueled such anti-Beijing attitudes in recent years.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 June 2025
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The hammer of government coercion is reserved exclusively for use on taxpayers.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The analyst described how Uribe’s experience of violence from a young age defined his politics.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
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Security and extremism experts say a significant factor in driving violence is that many protesters draw no distinction between someone who is Jewish and someone who supports Israel's attacks on Hamas in Gaza, which is home to about 2.1 million Palestinians.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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